Full Statement:
Premier David Burt is encouraging Bermudians to follow proceedings in the House of Assembly on Friday, 25 September, when the House is expected to debate the long-awaited Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Historic Land Losses in Bermuda.
The Report was tabled in the House of Assembly on 10 December 2021 following the work of the Commission of Inquiry, which was established by the Premier in 2019 in fulfilment of a resolution first approved by the House of Assembly in 2014.
The debate has been delayed while matters concerning the Commission were before the courts and in accordance with the rules governing proceedings in the House. Following a ruling from the Speaker that the matter may now proceed, the Government intends to bring the take-note Motion before the House.
Premier Burt said: “This is an important debate for Bermuda and one that has been a long time coming. The Commission heard from Bermudians whose families have carried stories of land loss, dispossession and injustice for generations, and its Report contains findings and recommendations which deserve the full consideration of the people’s elected representatives.
“The purpose of Friday’s debate is not simply for the Government to state its position. I want to hear the views of Honourable Members from across the House on the findings of the Commission and, importantly, on its recommendations.
“The Government will indicate areas where we believe action should now be taken, but there are other significant matters on which I believe it is right to hear from Members before the Government determines its next steps.
“This process began because Bermudian families asked to be heard. It was championed in this House by the late Walton Brown, whose 2014 Motion called for an independent examination of historic land losses and for justice for those who may have been wronged. Twelve years later, this House will finally have the opportunity to debate the Report that flowed from that work.
“I encourage Bermudians, particularly those families who participated in the Commission’s hearings or who have a connection to the histories of Tucker’s Town, Southside in St. David’s and other historic land-loss claims, to tune in and follow the debate.”
The Commission of Inquiry held 74 hearings and considered 53 claims. Its Report examined the well-known expropriations at Tucker’s Town and St. David’s Island as well as claims of historic land loss in other parts of Bermuda.
Among its recommendations were proposals concerning assistance for persons seeking to pursue historic land-loss claims, the preservation and teaching of the history of Tucker’s Town and St. David’s, suitable memorialisation of affected communities, consideration of a Land Tribunal, legislative reform and compensation.
The Government has accepted the Report in principle and is reviewing implementation of its recommendations. Friday’s debate will form an important part of that process and will assist the Government as it considers the next steps arising from the Report.
Members of the public can follow House of Assembly proceedings live through the Bermuda Parliament website at parliament.bm.
